The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-12
WASHINGTON SOCIETY,".
Some Very Crude People Found Floating
on the Surface of High Life.

Some Very Crude People Found Floating
on the Surface of High Life.
Now and then persons in Official life
ccr,e across crude specimens of human.
ity among their callers, whose remarkz.
innocently uttered, to the hostess create
no small amusement. At the house of
one or the Cabinet Ministers, during the
height of reception not long since, a
self-possessed looking female entered,
and after making tour of the rooms
and satisfying herself with an ample
and prolonged collation. she sauntered
up to the hostess and, cycling her curl
ously, said: Excuse me, but whom
have l the honor of addressing?"
Wholly taken back by such question,
the hostess naturally inquired of the
caller if it were possible that she did
not know in whose house she then was.
80, nc" she replied, with the utmost
sang trojd: II never bother about the
names beforehand. l just keep list of
the numbers of the houses where l mean
to call"
Sometimes, however, the tables are
turned, and it is the hostess whose con-
duct is open to criticism. A well-known
society lady returned home not long
ago highly indignant at an affront which
she said had been offered her at one of
the houses where she had been to call.
She noticed that as the Waterman
opened the door and held out the salver
for her card he eyed her very attentive
ly, and then, instead of permitting her
to 90 in the direction from which she
heard the sound of voices in animated
talk and laughter, he solemnly ushered
her into room in which she was en-
tirely alone. Upon her expostulating
with him and insisting upon being per-
mitted to 90 where the other callers
were, he explained that he received or
ders from his mistress whenever any
ladies called with jet trimmings and
pendants on their dresses he was to
show them at once into the carpeted
room from which she had just come, as
otherwise the waXed floors of the par
lors would be indented and spoiled by
the jet, which was sure to fall off and
be trodden under foot, thereby marring
the polished surface of the floors. 1t is
almost needless to add that the visitor
departed in high dudgeon without
making her intended call
There is a secret in Washington in
volving the name of Senator's wife OF
whom the following is told, as having
occurred recently: The Senator's wife
in her round of visits called on a lady
whose marriage within year was one
on account of the high official position
of her husband. The Senator's wife, as
the story goes, called on the lady,
day" and was received with much
cordial politeness, as were all callers
In little pause after the first saluta.
tions, the Senator's wife said: 'Is il
true, Mrs. Blank, that you were a clerk
in one of the departments before youl
first marriage; and did your mother KEEP
a clearinghouse"
The hostess proved equal to the unex-
pected assault, as she also proved her
self woman of good breedmg-which
can not be said of her visitor.
Yes" she replied, with perfect dig
nifty and good temper, sit is true that
was clerk in one of the departments
before my first marriage. But my
mother did not keep a clearinghouse
If she had l should have had home
and there would have been no necessity
for me to be a clerk, you know"
/ The name of the Senator's wife is the
secret society people are just now trying
to find out The name of the woman
who made the womanly answer il
known, and she is commended on al
hands for her courage and good sense
She is likely to be liked for hersel
rather than for the social position giver
her by her husbands prominence
Washington Cor. Baltimore american.